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1 1 (Updated October 15, 2024)

handle is hein.crs/goveqyv0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service Informing the legislative debate since 1914 0 Updated October 15, 2024 The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) System Background According to the Department of Defense (DOD), the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system (Figure 1) is a key element of U.S. ballistic missile defense (BMD). THAAD employs interceptor missiles, using hit- to-kill technology, to destroy threat missiles. Reportedly, THAAD is capable of engaging targets at ranges of 150- 200 kilometers (km). THAAD covers the BMD middle tier and defends a larger area than the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System. It complements the Patriot, the Navy's AEGIS Missile Defense System, and the Ground-based Midcourse Defense System. A THAAD battery consists of 95 soldiers, six truck mounted launchers, 48 interceptors (eight per launcher), one Army/Navy Transportable Radar Surveillance and Control Mode 2 (AN/TPY-2) radar, and a Tactical Fire Control/Communications component. THAAD provides Combatant Commanders a rapidly deployable capability against short-range (up to 1,000 km), medium-range (1,000-3,000 km), and limited intermediate-range (3,000- 5,000 km) ballistic missile threats inside or outside the atmosphere during their final (terminal) phase of flight. THAAD was developed by Lockheed Martin Corporation, headquartered in Bethesda, MD, and is being manufactured in Troy, AL. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is responsible for the development of THAAD. According to the MDA, MDA is responsible for the sustainment of the THAAD missile defense unique and development items, while the U.S. Army is responsible for the operations and sustainment of the common items. MDA funding provides sustainment for all fielded THAAD batteries, ensures THAAD assets are properly maintained and crews are trained to meet Combatant Commanders' needs. The Army provides soldiers for THAAD units. As such, the ability to field and operate THAAD batteries can be affected by recruiting and retention shortages, as well as the availability of qualified critical technical military occupational specialties. The Army currently has seven THAAD batteries. The first THAAD battery (A Battery, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 1 1th Air Defense Artillery Brigade) was activated in May 2008 at Fort Bliss, TX, and the seventh THAAD battery was activated in December 2016. According to 2019's Army Air and Missile Defense 2028, three THAAD batteries are based at Fort Bliss, two batteries are based at Fort Cavazos, TX, and one battery is based in South Korea and one in Guam. https://crsr Figure I.THAAD Fire Unit Source: U.S. Indo-Pacific Command News, https://www.pacom.mil/ Media/News/Article/707735/missile-system-would-greatly-increase- defense-capability-in-south-koreal, accessed April 16, 2024. Brief History of the THAAD Program According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Missile Defense Project, the Army began developing THAAD in 1992. In December 1995, the Army attempted its first THAAD intercept test, which was unsuccessful. Five successive test flights-taking place from 1996 to 1999-also failed. The Army redesigned THAAD and relaxed requirements for intercepting targets at lower altitudes. Between 2006 and 2019, the Army and the MDA conducted 18 THAAD intercept tests. Fourteen of the tests were successful, and four were cancelled prior to launch due to target malfunctions. Current THAAD Program Activities The FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (P.L. 116-283) authorized and funded the procurement of an eighth THAAD battery. On April 21, 2022, Lockheed Martin received a contract totaling $74 million to produce the THAAD battery for the MDA, expected to be fielded by 2025. According to the MDA, as of January 2024, the eighth THAAD battery was still in production. As of October 1, 2023, the MDA had delivered 799 operational THAAD interceptors to the U.S. Army and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. THAAD Overseas Deployments THAAD has been deployed on a number of occasions in response to potential ballistic missile threats. According to an April 2013 Federal Register notice The U.S. Secretary of Defense directed the Army to deploy a THAAD battery immediately to Guam on an emergency basis in response to potential North Korean missile launch activity. Since the temporary deployment of the THAAD battery in 2013, DOD validated the enduring requirement for a THAAD battery in Guam to ensure continued defense of the .congress.gov

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